Simone Donati
Book
2015
Simone Donati
Book
2015
San Giovanni Rotondo (FG), September 2010. The façade of Hotel Immagine
From politics to religion, going from music, sport and television, between 2009 and 2015 Simone Donati crossed his country in search of myths and icons of the Italian contemporary imaginary. This project, which became a self-published book in 2015, provides a glimpse into the Italian society with an ironic but also purely documentary look.
“Since early 2009 I have started looking into mass events where heterogeneous communities show similar patterns of behaviour. Travelling around the peninsula in search of myths and icons of the contemporary imaginary, and participating in the most oddly assorted events, I understood how my country is the most grotesque, funny, naïve and fanatic to live in and to photograph. I searched for what drives people to aggregate to pursue a personal interest, which in the representation on stages, real or ideal, becomes collective.”
Florence, February 2013. Closing night of the election campaign for the “People of Freedom” party at the Obihall theatre
Carpena (FC), October 2012. Benito Mussolini’s bedroom at Villa Carpena, the family house museum
Mascalucia (CT), April 2012. Prayer meeting with the visionary Marija Pavlovic at Madonna della Sciara sanctuary
Riccione (RN), August 2012. The election of Miss Cosmetic Surgery at “Beach Cafe”
Scarperia (FI), May 2014. A fan at the evening party before the Grand Prix motorcycle racing at Mugello racetrack
Rome, February 2013. The audience at “Ballarò” TV show on the national television channel Rai Tre
Predappio (FC), April 2012. Nostalgics gathered at San Cassiano cemetery for the anniversary of the death of Benito Mussolini
Campi Bisenzio (FI), May 2011. Selections for “Grande Fratello (Big Brother)” TV programme
Sanremo (IM), February 2014. The statue of Mike Bongiorno, historic presenter of Sanremo Music Festival
Rome, May 2013. The audience of the television programme “Mezzogiorno in famiglia” on the national channel Rai Uno
Trapani, April 2012. The prayer meeting with the visionary Marija Pavlovic inside the “Palailio” arena
Castel Volturno (CE), June 2012. Fans of the neomelodic singer Alessio during a performance at Lido La Favorita
San Giovanni Rotondo (FG), September 2010. A room inside the Padre Pio wax museum
Zocca (MO), March 2015. The exterior of the house of singer Vasco Rossi completely covered by graffiti of his fans
Florence, June 2009. Supporters of Silvio Berlusconi gathered in Piazza Ognissanti for his arrival at a press conference
Sanremo (IM), February 2014. Hosts of a RAI television programme during a live broadcast outside of the “Ariston” theatre
Dimaro (TN), July 2014. Telecast of “TV Luna” broadcasting live from the summer training camp of Napoli Calcio
Rome, February 2013. Silvio Berlusconi is photographed by a fan while leaving the studio of the television programme “Ballarò”
Florence, May 2012. The audience at the MTV TRL Awards
Salsomaggiore Terme (PR), July 2012. The winner of one of the evening selections for the new “veline” showgirls in the TV show “Striscia la Notizia”
Palermo, April 2012. A group of priests before the prayer meeting with the visionary Marija Pavlovic at the stadium “La Favorita”
Poggiomarino (NA), June 2012. Fans during the concert of the neomelodic singer Rosario Miraggio for St. Anthony’s Feast
Torretta (PA), June 2013. Celebrations for the election of the new mayor
Rome, May 2013. Inside the studio of the television programme “Mezzogiorno in famiglia” on the national channel Rai Due
Hotel Immagine
Self published, 2015
First edition
128 pages, 14.8 x 21 cm
Hardcover
750 copies
Italian and english
Afterword by Daniele Rielli
Graphic design by Emanuele Poli / f.o.p.p.
